Substrate processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A substrate processing apparatus which can securely show the status of recipe transition is provided. In a substrate processing apparatus including a main control unit which sends a control instruction to process a substrate, and a sub control unit which carries out control of the apparatus in accordance with the control instruction from main control unit, the main control unit has a memory unit which stores plural recipes, a display control unit which accepts an execution instruction to cause an arbitrary recipe of the plural recipes to be executed, and a display unit which displays the arbitrary recipe designated by the display control unit, on an operation screen. When an execution instruction to cause another recipe stored in the recipe storage means to be executed is received during the execution of the arbitrary recipe, the arbitrary recipe and this another recipe are displayed on the operation screen together with a factor which has generated the execution instruction to cause this another recipe to be executed.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/084,886 filed Jul. 3,2008, which in turn is a National Phase of PCT/JP2007/051162, whichclaims priority of Japanese Application No. 2006-018947 filed Jan. 27,2006. The disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus forprocessing a substrate of semiconductor device or the like.

2. Background Art

A substrate processing apparatus of this type in which an operationrecipe (process recipe) is displayed on a display screen of theapparatus body is known. On a list of steps of the process recipe, stepsare displayed in different colors, for example, a step which iscompleted in its execution is displayed in blue and a step which isbeing executed is displayed in red. The progress status of the processrecipe is thus shown.

SUMMARY Problems that the Invention is to Solve

However, in the case where another recipe (for example, a sub recipe) isexecuted in accordance with a step described in the process recipe, whatkind of step is designated, whether the sub recipe is executed, and thesub recipe which is currently being executed and the history of the subrecipe are not known. When a trouble has occurred in the apparatus,recovery processing (in this case, identification of the cause of thetrouble) takes time. Also, in the case where a reset recipe is executedand the apparatus is temporarily stopped, it is not known whether it isexecuted in accordance with the user's (operator's) intention or it isexecuted because of the occurrence of an error in the apparatus. Thatis, since the history of transition of recipes until the reset recipe isexecuted and a factor that has caused the execution of the reset recipecannot be grasped, the operator must rely on his or her own experienceto find out what kind of recovery processing is appropriate.Particularly when the operator is a beginner, it takes time to carry outtrouble shooting operation. (Here, a sub recipe refers to a recipeprepared by separating a step that is repeatedly used plural times in aprocess recipe, from the process recipe, and it is executed by beingaccessed in a predetermined step of the process recipe.)

It is an object of the present invention to provide a substrateprocessing apparatus which grasps the history of transition among pluralrecipes and reduces the time taken for a trouble.

Means for Solving the Problems

A first aspect of the present invention resides in a substrateprocessing apparatus including first control means for sending a controlinstruction to process a substrate, and second control means forcarrying out control of the apparatus in accordance with the controlinstruction from this first control means. The first control means hasrecipe storage means for storing plural recipes, display control meansfor accepting an execution instruction to cause an arbitrary recipe ofthe plural recipes to be executed, and display means for displaying thearbitrary recipe designated by the display control means, on anoperation screen. When an execution instruction to cause another recipestored in the recipe storage means to be executed is received during theexecution of the arbitrary recipe, the arbitrary recipe and this anotherrecipe are displayed on the operation screen together with a factorwhich has generated the execution instruction to cause this anotherrecipe to be executed.

A second aspect of the present invention resides in a substrateprocessing apparatus including first control means for sending a controlinstruction to process a substrate, and second control means forcarrying out control of the apparatus in accordance with the controlinstruction from this first control means. The first control means hasrecipe storage means for storing plural recipes, display control meansfor accepting an execution instruction to cause one recipe of the pluralrecipes to be executed, and display means for displaying the recipedesignated by the display control means, on an operation screen. Of therecipes stored in the recipe storage means, a recipe that is executedfirst to a recipe which is currently being executed, and a factor whichhas generated an execution instruction to cause these recipes to beexecuted are displayed on the operation screen.

A third aspect of the present invention resides in a substrateprocessing apparatus including first control means for sending a controlinstruction to process a substrate, and second control means forcarrying out control of the apparatus in accordance with the controlinstruction from this first control means. The first control means hasrecipe storage means for storing at least one recipe or more includingplural steps, display control means for accepting an executioninstruction to cause the recipe to be executed, and display means fordisplaying the recipe designated by the display control means, on anoperation screen. When an execution instruction to cause another recipestored in the recipe storage means to be executed is received during theexecution of the recipe, step information which is currently beingexecuted, of this another recipe, and step information which is executedwhen the execution instruction is generated, of the recipe, aredisplayed on the operation screen together with a factor which hasgenerated the execution instruction to cause this another recipe to beexecuted.

A fourth aspect of the present invention resides in a substrateprocessing apparatus including first control means for sending a controlinstruction to process a substrate, and second control means forcarrying out control of the apparatus in accordance with the controlinstruction from this first control means. The first control means hasrecipe storage means for storing at least one or more recipes ofdifferent kinds, display control means for accepting an executioninstruction to cause a recipe of a certain kind, of the recipes ofdifferent kinds, to be executed, and display means for displaying therecipe designated by the display control means, on an operation screen.When an execution instruction to cause a recipe of another kind storedin the recipe storage means to be executed is received during theexecution of the recipe of a certain kind, the recipe of a certain kindand the recipe of another kind are displayed on the operation screentogether with a factor which has generated the execution instruction tocause this recipe of another kind to be executed.

A first recipe display method according to the present inventionincludes a step of storing plural recipes by recipe storage means, astep of accepting an execution instruction to cause an arbitrary recipeof the plural recipes to be executed by display control means, a step ofdisplaying the arbitrary recipe designated by the display cortrol means,on an operation screen by display means, and a step of, when anexecution instruction to cause another recipe stored in the recipestorage means to be executed is received during the execution of thearbitrary recipe, displaying the arbitrary recipe and this anotherrecipe on the operation screen together with a factor which hasgenerated the execution instruction to cause this another recipe to beexecuted.

A second recipe display method according to the present inventionincludes a step of storing plural recipes by recipe storage means, astep of accepting an execution instruction to cause one recipe of theplural recipes to be executed by display control means, a step ofdisplaying the recipe designated by the display control means, on anoperation screen by display means, and a step of displaying a recipewhich is executed first to a recipe which is currently being executed,of the recipes stored in the recipe storage means, and a factor whichhas generated an execution instruction to cause these recipes to beexecuted, on the operation screen.

Here, an execution instruction refers to an instruction inputted andgiven by a user (operator) using input means such as a button on theoperation screen, or an instruction from an external device such as ahost computer. A control instruction refers to an instruction (targetvalue) given to a component or the like which constitutes the apparatusin such a way that a target value that is preset in a recipe or the likecan be reached.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, when an execution instruction tocause another recipe to be executed is given during the execution of anarbitrary recipe, a factor which has generated the execution instructionto cause this another recipe to be executed is displayed and also thearbitrary recipe and this another recipe are displayed on the operationscreen. Therefore, transition of recipes and factors in the transitionof the recipes can be quickly grasped. It is possible to reduce the timefor trouble shooting when a trouble has occurred, and also reduce therecovery processing time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a substrate processing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view showing the substrate processingapparatus according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an exemplary configuration of a substrateprocessing system in which the substrate processing apparatus accordingto the embodiment of the invention is used;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an exemplary hardware configuration of thesubstrate processing apparatus according to the embodiment of theinvention, particularly a PMC;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of recipe transition history on anoperation screen of the substrate processing apparatus according to theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence program that is executedby a main control unit of the substrate processing apparatus accordingto the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a second example of recipe transition historyon the operation screen of the substrate processing apparatus accordingto the embodiment of the invention. Part (a) is an exemplary display ofrecipe transition history at the time when a reset recipe is singlyexecuted. Part (b) is an exemplary display of recipe transition historyat the time when a reset recipe is executed after transition fromanother recipe because of a certain factor;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a third exemplary display of recipe transitionhistory on the operation screen of the substrate processing apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the invention, and is an exemplarydisplay of recipe transition history at the time when a reset recipe isexecuted by transition from a process recipe;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an exemplary display of step history on theoperation screen of the substrate processing apparatus according to theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an exemplary display of recipe operation list(execution status) in a comparative example; and

FIG. 11 is a view showing an exemplary display of step number and stepname on the operation screen of the substrate processing apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

-   100 substrate processing apparatus-   103 front maintenance port-   104 front maintenance door-   105 rotary pod shelf-   110 pod-   111 casing-   111 a front wall-   112 pod carry-in and carry-out port-   113 front shutter-   114 load port-   115 boat elevator-   116 supporting pole-   117 shelf board-   118 pod carrying device-   118 a pod elevator-   118 b pod carrying mechanism-   119 sub casing-   119 a front wall of sub casing-   120 wafer carry-in and carry-out port-   121 pod opener-   122 setting stage-   123 cap attaching and detaching mechanism-   124 shift chamber-   125 wafer shifting mechanism-   125 a wafer shifting device-   125 b wafer shifting device elevator-   125 c tweezers-   126 standby section-   128 arm-   133 clean air-   134 clean unit-   135 notch aligning device-   147 furnace opening shutter-   200 wafer-   202 processing furnace-   217 boat-   219 seal cap-   300 substrate processing system-   302 host computer-   304 communication line-   306 input and output device-   308 operation screen-   310 PMC-   312 main control unit-   314 sub control unit-   316 CPU-   317 memory unit-   320 RAM-   322 transmitting and receiving processing unit-   324 I/O control unit-   326 temperature control unit-   328 gas control unit-   330 pressure control unit-   332 input unit-   334 display unit-   335 temporary memory unit-   336 display control unit-   338 heater-   340 gas pipe-   342 MFC-   344 exhaust pipe-   346 pressure sensor-   348 valve-   352 history display section-   354 factor display section-   356 display button for displaying recipe progress-   358 reset button-   360 step display section-   362 step number-   364 step 1D-   366 step remaining time-   368 number of times of step execution

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the best mode for carrying out the present invention, as an example,a substrate processing apparatus is configured as a semiconductormanufacturing apparatus which embodies a processing apparatus in amethod of manufacturing a semiconductor device (IC). In the followingdescription, a case is described where a vertical apparatus whichcarries out oxidation, diffusion processing or CVD processing on asubstrate (hereinafter simply referred to as a processing apparatus) isapplied as a substrate processing apparatus. FIG. 1 is shown as aperspective view of a substrate processing apparatus applied to thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the substrateprocessing apparatus of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a substrate processing apparatus 100according to the invention in which a hoop (substrate container,hereinafter referred to as a pod) 110 is used as a wafer carrier housinga wafer (substrate) 200 made of silicon or the like, has a casing 111.At a front forward part of a front wall 111 a of the casing 111, a frontmaintenance port 103 is opened as an opening provided to enablemaintenance, and front maintenance doors 104, 104 to open and close thisfront maintenance port 103 are fitted.

In the front wall 111 a of the casing 111, a pod carry-in and carry-outport (substrate container carry-in and carry-out port) 112 is opened ina manner of penetrating the inside and outside of the casing 111. Thepod carry-in and carry-out port 112 is configured to be opened andclosed by a front shutter (substrate container carry-in and carry-outport opening and closing mechanism) 113.

On the front forward side of the pod carry-in and carry-out port 112, aload port (substrate container delivery stage) 114 is installed. Theload port 114 is configured to set and align the pod 110. The pod 110 iscarried in onto the load port 114 by an in-process carrying device (notshown) and is carried out from the top of the load port 114.

At an upper part in a substantially central section in the back andforth directions in the casing 111, a rotary pod shelf (substratecontainer setting shelf) 105 is installed. The rotary pod shelf 105 isconfigured to store plural pods 110. That is, the rotary pod shelf 105has a supporting pole 106 which is provided vertically upright and isintermittently rotated within a horizontal plane, and plural shelfboards (substrate container setting stages) 117 radially supported ateach position in upper, middle and lower stages by the supporting pole116. The plural shelf boards 117 are configured to hold the plural pods110 in their respective setting states.

Between the load port 114 and the rotary pod shelf 105 in the casing111, a pod carrying device (substrate container carrying device) 108 isinstalled. The pod carrying device 118 includes a pod elevator(substrate container lifting mechanism) 118 a capable of lifting andlowering while holding the pod 110, and a pod carrying mechanism(substrate container carrying mechanism) 118 b as a carrying mechanism.The pod carrying device 118 is configured to carry the pod 110 betweenthe load port 114, the rotary pod shelf 105, and a pod opener (substratecontainer lid opening and closing mechanism) 121 by continuous operationof the pod elevator 118 a and the pod carrying mechanism 118 b.

At a lower part in the substantially central section in the back andforth directions in the casing 111, a sub casing 119 is constructedacross the rear end. In a front wall 119 a of the sub casing 119, a pairof wafer carry-in and carry-out ports (substrate carry-in and carry-outports) 120 to carry the wafer 200 into and out of the sub casing 119 isopened in a way of being arrayed in vertical two stages. A pair of podopeners 121, 121 is installed on the upper- and lower-stage wafercarry-in and carry-out ports 120, 120. The pod openers 121 have settingstages 122, 122 for setting the pods 110 thereon, and cap attaching anddetaching mechanisms (lid attaching and removing mechanisms) 123, 123 toattach and detach the caps (lids) of the pods 110. The pod openers 121are configured to open and close the wafer take-in and take-out port ofthe pod 110 by attaching and detaching the cap of the pod 110 set on thesetting stage 122 by the cap attaching and detaching mechanism 123.

The sub casing 119 forms a shift chamber 124 which is insulated in termsof fluids from the installation space of the pod carrying device 118 andthe rotary pod shelf 105. In a forward area of the shift chamber 124, awafer shifting mechanism (substrate shifting mechanism) 125 isinstalled. The wafer shifting mechanism 125 includes a wafer shiftingdevice (substrate shifting device) 125 a capable of rotate or move thewafer 200 straight in a horizontal direction, and a wafer shiftingdevice elevator (substrate shifting device lifting mechanism) 125 b tolift and lower the wafer shifting device 125 a. As schematically shownin FIG. 1, the wafer shifting device elevator 125 b is installed betweena right end part of the pressure-resistant casing 111 and a right endpart of the forward area of the shift chamber 124 in the sub casing 119.These wafer shifting device elevator 125 b and wafer shifting device 125a are configured to charge and discharge the wafer 200 to and from aboat (substrate holding tool) 217, by their continuous operation, usingtweezers (substrate holder) 125 c of the wafer shifting device 125 a asa setting section for the wafer 200.

In a rear area of the shift chamber 124, a standby section 126 isconfigured which houses the boat 217 and has it stand by. A processingfurnace 202 is provided above the standby section 126. A lower end partof the processing furnace 202 is configured to be opened and closed by afurnace opening shutter (furnace opening and closing mechanism) 147.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, a boat elevator (substrate holdingtool lifting mechanism) 115 to lift and lower the boat 217 is installedbetween the right end part of the pressure-resistant casing 111 and theright end part of the standby section 126 of the sub casing 119. A sealcap 219 as a lid is horizontally attached to an arm 128 as a connectingtool connected to the lift stage of the boat elevator 115. The seal cap219 is configured to vertically support the boat 217 and be capable ofclosing the lower end part of the processing furnace 202.

The boat 217 has plural holding members and is configured tohorizontally hold each of plural (for example, 50 to 125) wafers 200arrayed with their centers aligned in a vertical direction.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, in the left end part of the shiftchamber 124, which is opposite to the wafer shifting device elevator 125b and the boat elevator 115, a clean unit 134 including a supply fan anda dustproof filter to supply clean air 133, which is purifiedatmospheric or inert gas, is installed. Between the wafer shiftingdevice 125 a and the clean unit 134, a notch aligning device 135 as asubstrate aligning device to align the position of wafers in thecircumferential direction is installed, though not shown.

The clean air 133 emitted from the clean unit 134 is circulated to thenotch aligning device 135 and the wafer shifting device 125 a and to theboat 217 in the standby section 126, and then absorbed into a duct, notshown, and exhausted to outside of the casing 111, or circulated to theprimary side (supply side) as the suction side of the clean unit 134 andagain emitted into the shift chamber 124 by the clean unit 134.

Next, the operation of the substrate processing apparatus 100 of theinvention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the pod 110 is supplied to the loadpot 114, the pod carry-in and carry-out port 112 is opened by the frontshutter 113. The pod 110 on the load port 114 is carried into the casing111 from the pod carry-in and carry-out port 112 by the pod carryingdevice 118.

The pod 110 thus carried therein is automatically carried and deliveredto a designated shelf board 117 of the rotary pod shelf 105 by the podcarrying device 118 and temporarily stored there. After that, the pod110 is carried and delivered to one pod opener 121 from the shelf board117 and temporarily stored there. After that, the pod 110 is carried toone pod opener 121 from the shelf board 117 and shifted onto the settingstage 122. Alternatively, the pod 110 is directly carried to the podopener 121 and shifted onto the setting stage 122. In this case, thewafer carry-in and carry-out port 120 of the pod opener 121 is closed bythe cap attaching and detaching mechanism 123 and the clean air 133 iscirculated in and fills the shift chamber 124. For example, as nitrogengas as the clean air 133 fills the shift chamber 124, the oxygenconcentration is set at 20 ppm or less, which is much lower than theoxygen concentration within the casing 111 (ambient atmosphere).

The pod 110 set on the setting stage 122 has its opening side endsurface pressed against the opening edge side of the wafer carry-in andcarry-out port 120 in the front wall 119 a of the sub casing 119, andalso has its cap detached by the cap attaching and detaching mechanism123, thus having its wafer outlet and inlet port opened.

When the pod 110 is opened by the pod opener 121, the wafer 200 ispicked up from the pod 110 by the tweezers 125 c of the wafer shiftingdevice 125 a through the wafer outlet and let port. After the wafer isaligned by the notch aligning device 135, not shown, the wafer iscarried into the standby section 126 in the rear part of the shiftchamber 124 and charged into the boat 217. The wafer shifting device 125a, which has delivered the wafer 200 to the boat 217, returns to the pod110 and charges the next wafer 110 to the boat 217.

During the charging operation of the wafer to the boat 217 in this one(upper or lower) pod opener 121 by the wafer shifting mechanism 125,another pod 110 is carried and shifted onto the other (lower or upper)pod opener 121 from the rotary pod shelf 105 by the pod carrying device118 and the opening operation of the pod 110 by the pod opener 121 iscarried out simultaneously.

When predetermined number of wafers 200 are charged into the boat 217,the lower end part of the processing furnace 202 closed by the furnaceopening shutter 147 is opened by the furnace opening shutter 147. Then,as the seal cap 219 is lifted up by the boat elevator 115, the boat 217holding the group of the wafers 200 is carried (loaded) into theprocessing furnace 202.

After the loading, arbitrary processing is carried out by processingrecipe executing to the wafers 200 in the processing furnace 202.

After the processing, the wafers 200 and the pods 110 are dischargedfrom the casing approximately in the reverse procedure of the above,except for the wafer aligning step by the notch aligning device 135, notshown.

Next, an example of a substrate processing system 300 using theabove-described substrate processing apparatus 100 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate processing system 300 has a hostcomputer 302 and plural units of the above-described substrateprocessing apparatus 100. The plural substrate processing apparatuses100 and the host computer 302 are connected via a communication line304, for example, LAN or the like. An instruction (output signal) fromthe host computer 302 is sent (outputted) to each substrate processingapparatus 100.

An input and output device 306 is provided integrally with the substrateprocessing apparatus 100 or via a network, and has an operation screen308. On the operation screen 308, an input screen where predetermineddata is inputted by the user (operator) and a display screen showing thestatus of the apparatus and the like are displayed. Moreover, variouscommand buttons are provided.

Also a process module controller (PMC) 310 is provided in the substrateprocessing apparatus 100. Each device in the substrate processingapparatus 100 is controlled by the PMC 310.

FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration mainly of the PMC 310.

The PMC 310 has a part of a main control unit (main controller) 312 asfirst control means, and a sub control unit (sub controller) 314 assecond control means.

The main control unit 312 has a CPU 316, a memory unit 317 as memorymeans, a transmitting and receiving processing unit 322 which transmitsand receives data to and from the input and output device 306 and thehost computer 302, an I/O control unit 324 which performs I/O controlwith the CPU 316 and the sub control unit 314, and the input and outputdevice 306. The main control unit 312 sends control data (controlinstruction) to process the substrates to the sub control unit 314 by anexecution instruction of various recipes prepared or edited on theabove-described operation screen 308 of the input and output device 306.

The memory unit 317 includes, for example, a ROM (read-only memory) 318and a RAM (random-access memory) 320 and the like and stores a sequenceprogram, plural recipes, input data (input instruction) inputted by theinput and output device 306, history data of recipe commands (PMcommands and step commands), history data of recipes and so on.

The recipes include various recipes such as an alarm recipe, an abortrecipe and a reset recipe, which will be describer later, as well asprocess recipes and sub recipes. These recipes are stored in the memoryunit 317. The memory unit 317 also stores not only productioninformation (data such as temperature, gas flow rate, and pressure) butalso history data such as alarm occurrence information and recipetransition information, as history data of the recipes. The recipetransition information includes recipe screen transition information andrecipe transition factor information.

The input and output device 306 has an input unit 332 which acceptsoperator's (user's) input data (input instruction) from the operationscreen 308, a display unit 334 which displays the data and the likestored in the memory unit 317, a temporary memory unit 335 which storesthe input data accepted by the input unit 332 until it is sent to thetransmitting and receiving processing unit 322 by a display control unit336, and the display control unit 336 which accepts the input data(input instruction) from the input unit 332 and sends the input data tothe display unit 334 or the transmitting and receiving processing unit322.

As will be described later, the display control unit 336 is configuredto accept an instruction (execution instruction) to cause an arbitraryrecipe of the plural recipes stored in the memory unit 317 to beexecuted by the CPU 316 via the transmitting and receiving processingunit 322. The display unit 334 is configured to display the arbitraryrecipe designated by the instruction from the display control unit 336,on the operation screen 308.

The sub control unit 314 has a temperature control unit 326, a gascontrol unit 328 and a pressure control unit 330, which will bedescribed later, and a carrying control unit, not shown. The temperaturecontrol unit 326 controls the temperature in the processing furnace 202by a heater 338 provided at an outer circumferential part of theabove-described processing furnace 202. The gas control unit 328controls the supply quantity of reaction gas or the like supplied intothe processing furnace 202 in accordance with an output value from amass flow controller (MFC) 342 provided in a gas pipe 340 of theprocessing furnace 202. The pressure control unit 330 is configured tocontrol the pressure in the processing chamber 202 by opening andclosing a valve 348 in accordance with an output value of a pressuresensor 346 provided in an exhaust pipe 344 of the processing furnace202. Also, the wafer shifting device 125, the boat elevator 126 and thelike are controlled by the carrying control unit, not shown. In thismanner, the sub control unit 314 is configured to control each part(heater 338, MFC 342 and valve 348 or the like) of the substrateprocessing apparatus 100 (shown in FIG. 1) in accordance with thecontrol instruction from the main control unit 312.

For example, when data for setting a recipe is inputted by the inputunit 332 of the input and output device 306, the input data (inputinstruction) is stored in the memory unit 335 and displayed on thedisplay unit 334 via the display control unit 336, and is also sent tothe transmitting and receiving processing unit 322 of the PMC 310 by thedisplay control unit 336. The CPU 316 of the main control unit 312stores the input data into, for example, the RAM 320 of the memory unit317, and causes the setting input of the recipe stored, for example, inthe ROM 318 to be decided. The CPU 316 starts a sequence program andcalls and executes a command of the recipe stored, for example, in theRAM 320 of the memory unit 317 in accordance with the sequence program.Thus, steps are sequentially executed and a control instruction toprocess the substrate is sent to the sub control device 314 via the I/Ocontrol unit 324. The sub control device 314 controls each part (heater338, MFC 342 and valve 348 or the like) in the substrate processingapparatus 100 in accordance with the control instruction from the maincontrol instruction. Thus, the processing of the above-described wafers200 (shown in FIG. 2) is carried out. Also with respect to aninstruction from the host computer 302, the above recipe executionprocessing may be similarly carried out.

Next, the display of recipe transition history will be described withreference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary display of recipe transition history. As shownin FIG. 5, history display sections 352 a, 352 b, 352 c, factor displaysections 354 a, 354 b, 354 c, and a display button 356 are displayed onthe operation screen 308 of the input and output device 306. Forexample, as the operator (user) presses the display button 356, theabove-described history display sections 352 a, 352 b, 352 c and factordisplay sections 354 a, 354 b, 354 c are displayed.

Here, recipe transition history is displayed which shows a status wherea first sub recipe (the history display section 352 b in FIG. 5) iscalled from a third step (DEPO) of a process recipe (the history displaysection 352 a in FIG. 5) and then a second sub recipe (the historydisplay section 352 c in FIG. 5) is called from the first sub recipe.

That is, when it has received an execution instruction (in this example,an instruction of the process recipe) to cause another recipe (in thisexample, a sub recipe) stored in the memory unit 317 to be executedduring the execution of an arbitrary recipe (in this example, theprocess recipe), the above-described display control unit 336 (shown inFIG. 4) gives an instruction to display this another recipe on theoperation screen 308 together with a factor (in this example, a stepcommand) which has caused the generation of the execution instruction tocause this another recipe to be executed.

More specifically, a status is shown where the sub recipe of the firsthierarchical level (A in the history display section 352 b in FIG. 5) iscalled from the process recipe (the history display section 352 a inFIG. 5) by the step command (the factor display section 354 a in FIG.5), followed by the sub recipe of the second hierarchical level (B inthe history display section 352 b in FIG. 5) being called from the subrecipe of the first hierarchical level, then followed by the sub recipeof the third hierarchical level (C in the history display section 352 bin FIG. 5) being called from the sub recipe of the second hierarchicallevel, then followed by the sub recipe of the fourth hierarchical level(D in the history display section 352 b in FIG. 5) being called from thesub recipe of the third hierarchical level, and followed by the subrecipe of the fifth hierarchical level (E in the history display section352 c in FIG. 5) being called from the sub recipe of the fourthhierarchical level by a step command (the factor display section 534 bin FIG. 5).

In this manner, the display control unit 336 (shown in FIG. 4) instructsthe display unit 334 to display the history from the recipe that hasbeen first executed (in this example, the process recipe) up to therecipe which is currently being executed (in this example, the subrecipe) on the operation screen 308 and also to display the factor (inthis example, step command) of transition of each recipe on theoperation screen 308.

Here, a step command is described (inputted) at the time of editing arecipe. In a step where a step command is set during the process recipe,the recipe is executed in accordance with the content of this stepcommand.

A trigger (factor) of transition of a predetermined recipe is displayedin the factor display sections 352 a, 352 b. In FIG. 5, an example isshown in which the process recipe has made a transition in accordancewith a “step command”. The sub recipes of the first to fourthhierarchical levels are displayed in an overlapping manner. However, thefactor which has caused the sub recipe of each hierarchical level to becalled may also be displayed.

The step commands include “RESET”, “END”, “HOLD”, “BUZZER”, “JUMP(STEP)”, “SUB RECIPE” and so on. In FIG. 5, “SUB RECIPE” that serves asa factor (trigger) of transition of a recipe is set.

The other step commands than “SUB RECIPE” will be briefly described now.“RESET” is to immediately interrupt the recipe which is being executed,and reset the operation. “END” is to immediately interrupt the recipewhich is being executed, and result in “ABNORMAL END”. “HOLD” is to seta HOLD state without shifting to the next step after the execution ofthe designated step. “BUZZER” is to designate BUZZER and execute thatstep. “JUMP (STEP)” is to jump to a designated step within the processrecipe. Also, whether to display the factor for each of these stepcommands may be designated.

Moreover, while FIG. 5 shows the exemplary status where a recipe hasmade transition in accordance with a step command as a factor (trigger),other factors of transition of a recipe may include an alarm condition,a PM command and the like. Here, with respect to the alarm condition,processing to deal with an error when the error has occurred is definedby an “alarm condition parameter (table)” (a table showing processing todeal with each error), and it is one of error monitoring functions ofthe PMC 310 (shown in FIG. 4). Meanwhile, the PM command is a commandinstruction which can be received by the PMC 310. It may be aninstruction from the input and output device 306 as an external unit oran instruction from within the PMC 310 (the above-described alarmcondition table). For example, a case where an “ABORT” button and thelike are provided and pressed on the operation screen 308 is the former.A case where an abort recipe is set in the alarm condition table is thelatter.

Also, while FIG. 5 shows the exemplary status where transition has beenmade from the process recipe to the sub recipe, the other predeterminedkinds of recipes to which transition can be made may include a resetrecipe, an alarm recipe, an abort recipe and so on.

Here, the alarm recipe is associated with the process recipe and is usedfor recovery processing when anomaly has occurred and for avoidance ofrisk (processing to eliminate the cause of occurrence of anomaly orprocessing to avoid the cause of occurrence of anomaly and the like).The alarm recipe can be designated only by using the setting of theabove-described alarm condition table. After the end of this alarmrecipe, the steps from the calling of the process recipe are executed.Meanwhile, the abort recipe is substantially similar to the alarmrecipe, but after the end of the abort recipe, the state of the finalstep of the abort recipe is maintained. The reset recipe issubstantially similar to the abort recipe, but it can be arbitrarilyexecuted even when the process recipe is not being executed (this willbe described later with reference to FIG. 7).

In the case where only the execution status of recipes is displayed onthe operation screen 308, for example, as in a comparative example shownin FIG. 10, how transition from the process recipe has been made and howthe reset recipe has been executed cannot be grasped. However, if therecipe transition history is displayed on the operation screen 308 as inFIG. 5, the status of recipe transition, such as which step of apredetermined recipe a trouble has occurred in, or which factor hascaused the transition to the recipe which is being executed (forexample, step command, alarm condition, and PM command), can be graspedeasily and quickly.

Next, sequence processing based on the sequence program executed by themain control unit 312 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence processing (S10). Thissequence program is started by a recipe start instruction in accordancewith an input instruction from the input unit 332 of the input andoutput device 306 or in accordance with an instruction from the hostcomputer 302.

As shown in FIG. 6, when a recipe start instruction is received, themain control unit 312 in step S100 determines whether the recipe to beexecuted is a process recipe or not. If it is a process recipe, the maincontrol unit 312 shifts to the processing of step S105. Otherwise, thatis, if it is not a process recipe, the main control unit 312 shifts tothe processing of step S180.

In step S105, the main control unit 312 executes the process recipe andshifts to the processing of step S110.

In step S110, the main control unit 312 determines whether a recipechange instruction is given or not by a step command, alarm conditionand PM command or like with respect to the process recipe which iscurrently being executed. If it is determined that a recipe changeinstruction is given, the main control unit 312 shifts to the processingof step S120. If it is determined that a recipe change instruction isnot given, the main control unit 312 shifts to the processing of stepS115.

In step S115, the main control unit 312 executes a predetermined step ofthe process recipe and ends the process recipe:

In step S120, the display control unit 336 displays the factor (trigger)of transition to another recipe in the factor display section 354 on theoperation screen 308 and shifts to the processing of step S124.

In step S124, the main control unit 312 determines whether the recipeafter the transition is a sub recipe or not. If the recipe after thetransition is a sub recipe, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S129. If it is not a sub recipe, the main controlunit 312 shifts to the processing of step S125.

In step S129, the main control unit 312 executes the sub recipe andshifts to the processing of step S134.

In step S134, the main control unit 312 monitors whether a recipe changeinstruction is given or not by a step command, alarm condition and PMcommand or the like with respect to the sub recipe which is beingexecuted. If a recipe change instruction is given, the main control unit312 shifts to the processing of step S139. If a recipe changeinstruction is not given, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S144.

In step S139, the display control unit 336 displays the factor (trigger)of transition to another recipe in the factor display section 354 on theoperation screen 308 and shifts to the processing of step S125.

In step S144, the main control unit 312 executes a predetermined step ofthe sub recipe, then ends the sub recipe, and shifts again to theprocessing of step S105.

In step S125, the main control unit 312 determines whether the recipeafter the transition is an alarm recipe or not. If the recipe after thetransition is an alarm recipe, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S130. If it is not an alarm recipe, the main controlunit 312 shifts to the processing of step S150.

In step S130, the main control unit 312 executes the alarm recipe andshifts to the processing of step S135.

In step S135, the main control unit 312 monitors whether a recipe changeinstruction is given or not by a step command, alarm condition and PMcommand or the like with respect to the alarm recipe which is beingexecuted. If a recipe change instruction is given, the main control unit312 shifts to the processing of step S140. If a recipe changeinstruction is not given, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S145.

In step S140, the display control unit 336 displays the factor (trigger)of transition to another recipe in the factor display section 354 on theoperation screen 308 and shifts to the processing of step S150.

In step S145, the main control unit 312 executes a predetermined step ofthe alarm recipe, then ends the alarm recipe, and shifts again to theprocessing of step S105.

In step S150, the main control unit 312 determines whether the recipeafter the transition is an abort recipe or not. If the recipe after thetransition is an abort recipe, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S155. If it is not an abort recipe, the main controlunit 312 shifts to the processing of step S175.

In step S155, the main control unit 312 executes the abort recipe andshifts to the processing of step S160.

In step S160, the main control unit 312 monitors whether a recipe changeinstruction is given or not by a step command, alarm condition and PMcommand or the like with respect to the abort recipe which is beingexecuted. If a recipe change instruction is given, the main control unit312 shifts to the processing of step S165. If a recipe changeinstruction is not given, the main control unit 312 shifts to theprocessing of step S170.

In step S165, the display control unit 336 displays the factor (trigger)of transition to another recipe (reset recipe) in the factor displaysection 354 on the operation screen 308 and shifts to the processing ofstep S180.

In step S170, the main control unit 312 executes a predetermined step ofthe abort recipe and ends the abort recipe. At this time, the substrateprocessing apparatus 100 is stopped in its operation in a secure state.Also, in this state, the operator carries out trouble shooting, whichwill be described later.

In step S180, the main control unit 312 executes the reset recipe andshifts to the processing of step S175.

In step S175, the main control unit 312 executes a predetermined step ofthe reset recipe and ends the reset recipe. Also at this time, thesubstrate processing apparatus 100 is stopped in its operation in asecure state. In this state, the operator can carry out troubleshooting, which will be described later.

FIG. 7 shows a second exemplary display of recipe transition history.

FIG. 7( a) is a view showing an example of recipe transition history inthe case where a reset recipe is executed singly. FIG. 7( b) is a viewshowing an example of recipe transition history in the case where areset recipe is executed as a result of transition from another recipecaused by a certain factor.

The reset recipe is to be executed when RESET processing is set as analarm condition and an alarm to carry out this RESET processing hasoccurred, or when RESET is set as a step command and this setting stepis reached, or when the displayed RESET button (not shown) is pressed byan operation of the PM command button 358 (which will be describedlater) displayed on the operation screen 308. Therefore, the resetrecipe may be executed (singly executed) by the operator's (user's)intention or may be executed as a result of transition from anotherrecipe such as a process recipe.

As shown in FIG. 7( a), for example, when the displayed RESET button(not shown) is pressed as the PM command button 358 displayed on theoperation screen 308 is operated by the operator (user), the resetrecipe is executed and the history display section 352 is displayed onthe operation screen 308. If the RESET button (not shown) is pressedwhen the process recipe is not being executed, the reset recipe isexecuted (singly executed) and the history display section 352 isdisplayed on the operation screen 308 similarly to the above.

On the other hand, for example, when the reset recipe is executed as aresult of transition from the process recipe, as shown in FIG. 7( b),the history display sections 352 a, 352 b, 352 c and the factor displaysections 354 a, 354 b, 354 c and the like are displayed on the operationscreen 308. FIG. 7( b) shows a status where transition to an abortrecipe (the history display section 352 b in FIG. 7) is made by a PMcommand (the factor display section 354 a in FIG. 7) as a factor whenthe process recipe (the history display section 352 a in FIG. 7( b)) isbeing executed, and then a reset recipe (the history display section 352c in FIG. 7) is being executed by a PM command (the factor displaysection 354 b in FIG. 7) as a factor.

From the screen of FIG. 7( b), the operator can learn that the abortrecipe is executed from the first step of the process recipe and thenthe reset recipe is executed from the first step of the abort recipe.Also, since the factors shown on this screen are PM commands, it can belearned that the abort recipe and the reset recipe are executed as theexecution button on the operation screen 308 is pressed.

From these pieces of information (from the operation screen 308), it canbe presumed that since the operator carelessly (erroneously) executedthe abort recipe shortly after the execution of the process recipe(during its first step), the operator immediately pressed the button toexecute the reset recipe. Moreover, since the history display sections352 a, 352 b, 352 c are presented as buttons, the operator can confirmmore detailed information by pressing these buttons.

In this manner, the display of recipe transition history shown on theoperation screen 308 differs between the case where the reset recipe isexecuted singly and the case where the reset recipe is executed as aresult of transition from another recipe caused by a certain factor.Therefore, the user (operator) can grasp the status up to the executionof the recipe (reset recipe) which is being executed, by visuallyconfirming the operation screen 308.

As described above, in the case where the reset recipe is executedsingly, it is presumed that the operator (user) has grasped the state ofthe substrate processing apparatus 100 (shown in FIG. 1) and has causedthe reset recipe to be executed by his or her own intention. On theother hand, in the case where the reset recipe is executed as a resultof transition from the process recipe, a trouble (failure or the like)has occurred in the substrate processing apparatus 100 and the resetrecipe is executed. That is, when it is confirmed that the reset recipeis executed as a result of transition from the process recipe or thelike, the substrate processing apparatus 100 must be immediatelyinvestigated, or a maintenance worker must be contacted and troubleshooting operation must be done immediately.

The reset recipe is a recipe to perform processing so as to end in asecure state, for example, from the execution state of the processrecipe. Recovery from physical trouble of the substrate processingapparatus 100 cannot be made by executing the reset recipe alone. Forexample, if the reset recipe is executed because of malfunction of thevalve 348 (shown in FIG. 4) in the substrate processing apparatus 100,the substrate processing apparatus 100 ends in a secure state. However,after that, recovery (replacement, repair and the like) of the valve 348by the operator (user), maintenance worker or the like is necessary.Similarly, the reset recipe is executed, for example, in the case wherethe thermocouple of the heater 338 (shown in FIG. 4) is broken, but thisthermocouple cannot be recovered by the reset recipe. Trouble shootingis an operation to eliminate the factor which has actually triggered theexecution of the reset recipe. Specifically, it includes operations suchas replacement and repair of a pump or heater.

In this invention, since the factor (history) which has caused the resetrecipe to be executed can be quickly grasped, the time until the startof trouble shooting can be reduced and reduction in the recoveryprocessing time can be realized.

FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary display of recipe transition history.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an exemplary display in the case wheredirect transition to a reset recipe is made during the execution of aprocess recipe.

FIG. 8 shows on the operation screen 308 a status where a trouble hasoccurred in the fifth step (the history display section 352 a in FIG. 8)of the process recipe during the execution of the process recipe,transition to the reset recipe has been made in accordance with an alarmcondition (the factor display section 354 in FIG. 8), and the third stepof the reset recipe (the history display section 352 b in FIG. 8) isbeing executed. Thus, by visually confirming the operation screen 308,the operator (user) can grasp that a trouble has occurred in the fifthstep of the process recipe, then transition to the reset recipe has beenmade in accordance with the alarm condition set in the fifth step, andthe third step of the reset recipe is currently being executed.Therefore, the operator (user) confirms the recipe setting and troubleinformation and the like of the fifth step of the process recipe inaccordance with FIG. 11, determines in what setting in the fifth stepthe trouble has occurred, carries out optimum recovery processing todeal with the trouble that has occurred, and takes measures to preventthe similar trouble from occurring again. In this manner, the detailedfactor of a trouble can be quickly grasped and the time until troubleshooting is carried out can be reduced. Thus, reduction in the recoveryprocessing time in the apparatus can be realized.

FIG. 11 is displayed when the history display section 352 is pressed. Onthis screen, the step number and step name of all the steps of aselected recipe are shown. Moreover, when the step name is pressed, thedisplay shifts to a menu screen, and recipe setting information andtrouble information can be confirmed from this menu screen. Also, therecipe setting information and the like can be directly displayedwithout using the menu screen. When the ESC button on the screen of FIG.11 is pressed, for example, the display returns to the recipe transitionhistory screen of FIG. 8 or the like. Also, the color of the step numberand step name is varied depending on the status of processing. A stepwhich has not been executed is shown in gray. A step which is beingexecuted is shown to be blinking in green and gray. A step which hasbeen executed is shown in green.

Next, the operation by the operator in the case where the reset recipeis being executed for different factors, as in FIG. 7( b) and FIG. 8,will be described specifically.

As shown in FIG. 7( b), when the operator has made an error, thesituation varies roughly depending on whether the boat is in theprocessing furnace or not. If the boat has been lowered from theprocessing furnace, it suffices to confirm whether there is anomaly inthe apparatus or not, just in case, after discharging the wafers. If theboat is in the processing furnace, the inside of the processing furnaceis set in a secure state so that the boat can be taken out. For example,cycle purge or the like is manually carried out. After the boat is takenout and the wafers are discharged, similarly, it suffices to confirmwhether there is anomaly in the apparatus or not.

In FIG. 8, an alarm occurrence factor is investigated. If the alarmoccurrence factor is the breaking of wire in the heater, a heater isprepared. If the factor is the breaking of the thermocouple, athermocouple is prepared. In which step the reset recipe is executed isconfirmed on the operation screen 308, and whether the boat is in theprocessing furnace or not is grasped. If the boat has been lowered fromthe processing furnace, the wafers are discharged and the heater (orthermocouple) is replaced with the prepared heater (or thermocouple). Ifthe boat is in the processing furnace, the state of the apparatus isconfirmed. If it is not in a secure state, cycle purge or the like ismanually carried out. Thus, the apparatus is set in a secure state andthe boat is lowered. After the wafers are discharged, recovery operation(replacement of the heater or thermocouple) is carried out. When thereset recipe is executed in accordance with the alarm occurrence factor,it is considered that a serious trouble has occurred in the apparatusand therefore the initial operation is important. In this embodiment,the initial operation can be quickly carried out. Also, in thisembodiment, since the transition history of plural recipes and thefactors of transition are displayed on the operation screen 308, thestate of the apparatus can be easily grasped. Therefore, even if atrouble (failure or an error by the operator or the like) occurs in theapparatus, recovery processing can be easily carried out and thereforethe recovery processing time in the apparatus can be reduced.

Next, the display of step history will be described with reference toFIG. 9.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary display of step history.

In FIG. 9, a step which is being executed and steps before and afterthis step are displayed on the operation screen 308. Specifically,plural (in FIG. 9, five) steps of the process recipe are displayed instep display sections 360 a, 360 b, 360 c, 360 d, 360 e on the operationscreen 308. The step display section 360 d shows a step which is beingexecuted. The step display sections 360 a, 360 b, 360 c show finishedsteps which are immediately before that step. The step display section360 e shows a step scheduled to be executed. In each of the step displaysections 360 a to 360 d, the step number 362, the step 1D (step name)364, the remaining time of the step 366, the number of times ofexecution of the step 368 and the like are displayed.

As the step history is thus displayed on the operation screen 308, thestatus of the step which is currently being executed and the stepsbefore and after the step can be grasped easily and in a short time.

As described above, according to the present invention, for example,when a reset recipe is being executed, whether the reset recipe issingly executed or it is executed from another recipe for a certainfactor can be grasped on the basis of the display of transition historyof plural recipes and the display of step history. Therefore, quickmeasures can be taken when a trouble has occurred, and the time untiltrouble shooting is carried out can be reduced. Thus, the recoveryprocessing time (downtime) in the apparatus can be reduced. Also, when aproduct (substrate) is being processed in the substrate processingapparatus 100, the state of the apparatus can be quickly grasped andtherefore measures can be easily taken to prevent the product frombecoming a lot-out product.

In the present invention, not only a semiconductor manufacturingapparatus but also an apparatus that processes a glass substrate such asan LCD device can be applied as a substrate processing apparatus. Also,the deposition process includes, for example, CVD, PVD, processing toform an oxide film or nitride film, processing to form ametal-containing film, and so on. Also, while the vertical-typeapparatus is described in this embodiment, the invention can similarlybe applied to a single wafer apparatus.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be utilized for a substrate processingapparatus which processes a substrate of a semiconductor device or thelike.

1. A method for displaying recipe progress comprising: accepting anexecution instruction to cause a certain recipe of plural recipes storedin a recipe storage means to be executed; and displaying plural recipes,including the certain recipe to be executed, from a recipe that isexecuted first to a recipe that is currently being executed with eachfactor that has generated the execution instruction to cause the pluralrecipes to be executed displayed between the recipes on an operationscreen.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recipe storagemeans stores at least one of a process recipe, a sub recipe, a resetrecipe, an alarm recipe, and an abort recipe.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the factor includes at least one of a step command, analarm condition, and a PM command.
 4. The method according to claim 3,wherein the step command includes at least one of RESET, END, HOLD,BUZZER, JUMP(STEP), and SUB RECIPE.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein when one of buttons in a portion displaying the plural recipesis pressed, step information that includes a step name corresponding tothe pressed button is displayed.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein when one of buttons labeled step names corresponding to steps ofthe certain recipe to be executed or the plural recipes is pressed,recipe setting information and trouble information are furtherdisplayed.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the stepinformation is displayed in various colors depending on the status ofprocessing.
 8. A substrate processing apparatus for displaying recipeprogress comprising: a recipe storage means for storing plural recipes;a display control means for accepting an execution instruction to causeone recipe of the plural recipes to be executed; and a display means fordisplaying the recipe designated by the display control means, on anoperation screen, wherein the display control means causes recipes froma recipe that is executed first to a recipe that is currently executed,in the recipe storage means, to be displayed, and the display meansdisplays the recipes and displays each factor that has generated anexecution instruction to cause the recipes to be executed between therecipes on the operation screen.
 9. The substrate processing apparatusof claim 8, wherein the recipe storage means stores at least one of aprocess recipe, a sub recipe, a reset recipe, an alarm recipe, and anabort recipe.
 10. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe factor includes at least one of a step command, an alarm condition,and a PM command.
 11. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 10,wherein the step command includes at least one of RESET, END, HOLD,BUZZER, JUMP(STEP), and SUB RECIPE.
 12. The substrate processingapparatus of claim 8, wherein when one of buttons in a portiondisplaying the plural recipes is pressed, step information whichincludes a step name corresponding to the pressed button is displayed.13. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein when one ofbuttons labeled step names corresponding to steps of executed recipes ispressed, recipe setting information and trouble information are furtherdisplayed.
 14. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe step information is displayed in various colors depending on thestatus of processing.
 15. A substrate processing apparatus comprising: arecipe storage means for storing one or more recipes including pluralsteps; a display control means for accepting an execution instruction tocause a step information of a recipe to be executed; and a display meansfor displaying the step information of the recipe designated by thedisplay control means, on an operation screen, wherein when an executioninstruction to cause an other recipe stored in the recipe storage meansto be executed is received, during the execution of the recipe, the stepinformation that is currently being executed, of this other recipe, andstep information that is executed when the execution instruction isgenerated, of the recipe, are displayed on the operation screen togetherwith a factor that has generated the execution instruction to cause theother recipe to be executed.
 16. A method for processing a substratecombining: storing one or more recipes including plural steps in arecipe storage means; accepting an execution instruction to cause stepinformation of a recipe to be executed; and displaying the stepinformation of the recipe to be executed on an operation screen, whereinwhen an execution instruction to cause an other recipe stored in therecipe storage means to be executed is received, during the execution ofthe recipe, step information that is currently being executed, of thisother recipe, and step information that is executed when the executioninstruction is generated, of the recipe, are displayed on the operationscreen together with a factor that has generated the executioninstruction to cause the other recipe to be executed.